In the middle of the nineteenth century my ancestor Isaac ‘Ike’ Story traveled to north Texas with other families from southern Illinois. Republic of Texas volunteers made early settlement possible through heroic acts at the Battle of Village Creek and the peace that followed soon after.

A mail route served the pre-Civil War community of Gorbet just north of Twin Wells. It connected Estelle in Dallas County to Bedford and Birdville in Tarrant County. That old mail route stretched across the Three Forks Region of Texas. These pioneer settlements are landmarks on maps to this day. Ike Story renamed Gorbet, Kit. He opened a general store and post office there. Our heritage goes back to those times and places. Pioneer families lived by faith in God and hope for the future. We do well when we follow their example.

In the middle of the nineteenth century my ancestor Isaac ‘Ike’ Story traveled to north Texas with other families from southern Illinois. Republic of Texas volunteers made early settlement possible through heroic acts at the Battle of Village Creek and the peace that followed soon after.

A mail route served the pre-Civil War community of Gorbet just north of Twin Wells. It connected Estelle in Dallas County to Bedford and Birdville in Tarrant County. That old mail route stretched across the Three Forks Region of Texas. These pioneer settlements are landmarks on maps to this day. Ike Story renamed Gorbet, Kit. He opened a general store and post office there. Our heritage goes back to those times and places. Pioneer families lived by faith in God and hope for the future. We do well when we follow their example.

Pioneer, entrepreneur and postmaster

Battle of Village Creek by Republic of Texas Volunteers

Prior to May 24, 1841 any thought of widespread Anglo settlement in the Three Forks area of North Texas was unthinkable. Just east of present day Fort Worth and on the west side of Arlington is Village Creek. Caddos, Cherokees and Tonkawas living along the banks of the creek posed a barrier to settlement by Europeans. The Republic of Texas knew this.

Small settlements on the frontier were subject to constant predatory raids by the tribal warriors. In early 1841 General Edward H. Tarrant organized a company of volunteers to engage. Leaving Fort Johnson on May 14, they moved westward into the Cross Timbers.

On the way, the company captured a warrior from one of the Village Creek tribes. Having learned the location of the Indian settlements, on May 24 the company attacked. As frequently was the case in fights between Anglos and Indians the tribes were surprised by the Texas Volunteers. Skirmishes continued and huts were torched. The scouts continued from village to village; eventually learning that over a thousand braves lived along this stretch of Village Creek. Prudence prevailed for the scouts. They withdrew to fight again in other places and times.There were casualties on both sides, not the first and certainly not the last.

Security on Village Creek ended for the tribes that day; making possible the establishment of Bird’s Fort. An enduring treaty made widespread settlement possible. We will have more about the treaty and settlement at another time.

Village Creek still flows into the West Fork of the Trinity River just a few miles west of Three Forks where most of our tale will continue.